Some individuals who suffer an injury in an accident are able to heal with the necessary treatment and eventually return back to their regular lives. While these individuals watch their symptoms steadily improve, other victims of soft tissue injuries, fractures, or similar injuries begin experiencing an entirely new set of symptoms altogether. These symptoms may be due to developing a condition called complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS),1 which can have a substantially adverse effect on a person's life. If the accident that caused your initial injury was caused by another party's negligence, you deserve to receive full compensation for you CRPS pain and treatment, as well as the losses from your initial injury.
How do you know if you have CRPS?
Many people who develop CRPS have no idea what is happening to them. They may experience symptoms including the following:
- Constant and prolonged pain
- Tingling or burning sensation
- Increased sensitivity to touch
- Altered skin color, texture, temperature
- Joint stiffness
- Difficulty with muscle control, strength, and coordination
- Tremors in the limbs
Most often, these symptoms will be located in the limb that suffered the original injury, however, the symptoms can spread and even affect opposite extremities. Anyone who has these symptoms should seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible.
How does a doctor know if you have CRPS?
Unlike many types of injuries and conditions, there is no single test that doctors can use to diagnose CRPS. In some very specific cases, doctors can check for calcium in your blood due to excess bone resorption or can check for metabolic changes in the bones. However, these bone-related effects are not present in all cases of CRPS so a negative test result does not rule out a pain syndrome.
In most cases, doctors will review your medical history, your recent injuries, and the signs and symptoms that you are experiencing. Some doctors may want to monitor your symptoms over time to help determine whether you are suffering from a pain syndrome or another condition.
Many other conditions have the ability to cause symptoms that are similar to CRPS and other pain syndromes. For this reason, an important part of diagnosis is to rule out these conditions, which can include:
- Arthritis
- Muscle diseases
- Nerve complications from diabetes
- Lyme disease2
- Clotted veins
Though there is no test for CRPS, you may have to undergo a battery of tests to rule out any of the above conditions. These tests can be costly and inconvenient though diagnosing CRPS is important to ensure you receive the proper treatment for your condition.
An experienced Michigan pain syndrome attorney can protect your rights
Getting diagnosed is only the first step in an often long recovery from pain syndrome. Accident victims deserve to recover for all of their accident-related injuries and losses, including the pain and costs associated with CRPS. At Michigan Injury Lawyers, our Michigan pain syndrome lawyers understand how pain syndrome can affect your life and can help you recover financially, so call today at 888-454-001 for a free consultation.
References:
1http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy/detail_reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy.htm#266823282
2http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/
Thomas L. Stroble
FOUNDER
Mr. Stroble is a highly accomplished graduate of Michigan State University, with degrees in both science and law. He specializes in commercial lawsuits and personal injury cases. Licensed to practice law in Michigan and even the U.S. Supreme Court, he’s a well-qualified legal expert. Besides his career in law, he loves outdoor activities and volunteers as a part-time police officer in Birmingham.
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